The San Francisco 49ers for the first time in a long time have a handful of position battles set to play out in training camp.
One of those is at left guard, which Pro Football and Sports Network identified as the top position battle for San Francisco. The presumed bout between Ben Bartch and Spencer Burford for the starting LG spot will undoubtedly be worth keeping a close eye on. Both players upside, but neither has done anything in the NFL to put a stranglehold on the spot leading up to camp.
While the starting LG spot is a big one, our top fight for a starting job is on the other side of the ball.
Will linebacker stands out as the biggest position battle for the 49ers as they sort out their new-look unit under new old defensive coordinator Robert Saleh.
San Francisco lost Dre Greenlaw in free agency which opened the three-down starting spot alongside Fred Warner. Last season De’Vondre Campbell held down that job while Greenlaw recovered from an Achilles tear in the Super Bowl. Campbell quit playing for the 49ers at halftime of Week 15.
Throughout the offseason it seemed as though Dee Winters had the inside track to that job. Then the 49ers selected LB Nick Martin No. 75 overall in the NFL draft and opened a bona fide battle for one of the most important jobs on their defense.
While the offensive line may be overall more important for a football team than the linebacking corps, the 49ers’ defense has consistently thrived because they’ve been able to find quality WLB play next to Warner. Having the All-Pro lined up next to another athletic LB with good coverage skills essentially takes away the middle of the field for opposing offenses. Funneling throws to the sideline creates longer routes, makes the quarterback hold the ball longer, and allows the pass rush to get home and generate impact plays.
Last season the team struggled in part because Campbell’s athleticism had left him in his Age 31 season along with his ability to play coverage or get to the edge in the run game.
The Martin-Winters battle will be an important one that could have a long-term impact on San Francisco’s defense if one can emerge as a close facsimile to Greenlaw. That improvement is a bigger deal for the 49ers this season and beyond than anything happening at left guard.
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This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers top position battle is not on offensive line